[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 85 (Friday, May 2, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25121-25122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10019]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the 
Disposition of Hangars 2 and 3, Fort Wainwright, Alaska

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Garrison Commander at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, has 
reviewed the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 
Disposition of Hangars 2 and 3 at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, and made the 
decision to proceed with the implementation of Alternative 1, 
Demolition of Hangars 2 and 3 (the selected alternative), which 
includes the demolition of both hangars and supporting infrastructure. 
Hangars 2 and 3 are World War II-era hangars and are contributing 
resources within the Ladd Field National Historic Landmark (NHL) and 
Ladd Air Force Base Cold War Historic District. Specific details of the 
decision are captured in the Army's Record of Decision (ROD) for this 
action. Both hangars no longer meet the functional requirements of 
maintenance facilities for the modern Army aircraft

[[Page 25122]]

fleet, currently serve no active function, and are a safety hazard due 
to their compromised structural integrity. This alternative meets the 
Army's following objectives: (1) Eliminate fire and safety issues 
associated with Hangars 2 and 3; (2) eliminate non-mission essential 
funding expenditures; (3) make available the valuable airfield space 
the hangars occupy to support the military mission because the hangars 
no longer meet the functional requirements of maintenance facilities 
for modern aircraft and are unable to support the aviation mission; (4) 
meet the special requirements for NHLs under Section 110 of the 
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing 
regulations (to the maximum extent possible, undertake such necessary 
planning and actions that minimize harm to NHLs); and (5) avoid, 
minimize, or otherwise mitigate any adverse effects on historic 
resources through Section 106 consultation under the NHPA.

ADDRESSES: Questions and requests for copies of either the ROD, Draft, 
or Final EIS should be forwarded to: Mr. Matthew Sprau, Directorate of 
Public Works, Attention: IMFW-PWE (Sprau), 1060 Gaffney Road 
4500, Fort Wainwright, Alaska 99703-4500 or send email 
requests to: [email protected]. Documents are also available 
for the public at http://www.wainwright.army.mil/env/Current.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Constance Storch, Public Affairs 
Office, IMFW-PAO (Storch), 1060 Gaffney Road 5900, Fort 
Wainwright, Alaska 99703-5900; telephone (907) 353-67801, email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ROD incorporates analyses contained in 
the Final EIS for the Disposition of Hangars 2 and 3, including 
comments provided during the formal comment and review periods. The ROD 
discusses the alternatives and provides a discussion of environmental 
impacts and mitigation commitments the Army will implement as part of 
this decision.
    The purpose of the Proposed Action was to determine a disposition 
for Hangars 2 and 3 that will resolve safety and fiscal concerns, as 
well as address the underutilization of the real property space they 
occupy. Determination of their disposition was needed to resolve their 
inability to meet the functional requirements as maintenance facilities 
for modern aircraft, their current condemned status that prevents them 
from serving an active military function at Fort Wainwright, and the 
safety hazard they present.
    The Army considered a wide range of potential alternatives for the 
disposition of Hangars 2 and 3. The United States Army Garrison Fort 
Wainwright (USAG FWA) used a screening process to evaluate five action 
alternatives ranging from various reuses to demolition, eventually 
narrowing the list to those considered reasonable. The Final EIS 
evaluated the only reasonable action alternative (Alternative 1) and 
the No Action Alternative (Alternative 2).
    Under Alternative 1 (selected alternative), demolition will involve 
removal of the hangars and their supporting infrastructure, including 
demolition of existing and abandoned utilities not belonging to Doyon 
Utilities (the current utility provider for the installation); 
demolition of existing privately owned vehicle parking areas, lighting, 
head bolt outlets, and power source; demolition of the small, open, 
flammable liquids storage facility that is located between Hangars 2 
and 3; and removal of concrete building slabs and foundations. Once 
demolition of the hangars is complete, concrete will be added to the 
building and infrastructure footprints to maintain consistency with the 
adjacent airfield, which is designated as an aircraft parking apron.
    Implementation of this decision is expected to result in direct, 
indirect, and cumulative impacts to the Fort Wainwright installation. 
Significant impacts are expected to occur as a result of adverse 
impacts to historic resources. All other impacts are expected to be not 
significant. The USAG FWA entered into a Memorandum of Agreement 
pursuant to 36 Code of Federal Regulations 800.6(2) with the Alaska 
Historic Preservation Office and the Advisory Council on Historic 
Preservation to mitigate adverse effects. Mitigation measures include 
public outreach in the pursuit of more visibility and appreciation for 
the Ladd Field NHL, re-evaluation of the NHL, and continued stewardship 
of Fort Wainwright's historical resources.
    The selected alternative allows the Army to meet mission 
requirements while eliminating the potential safety hazard presented by 
Hangars 2 and 3. This decision provides the proper balance of technical 
and economic feasibility, environmental and social issues, and the 
ability to meet Army mission objectives.
    A summary of environmental impacts and rationale for the decision 
can be found in the ROD, which is available along with the Final EIS 
for public review at http://www.wainwright.army.mil/env/Current.html.

    Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2014-10019 Filed 5-1-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-P